(CNN) - As Pope Francis prepares to celebrate his first Christmas at the Vatican, Americans' opinions of the pontiff appear to be as high as the dome on St. Peter's Basilica, according to a new survey.

A CNN/ORC International poll released Tuesday found that 88% of American Catholics approve of how Francis is handling his role as head of the 1.2 billion-member church.

The popular pontiff has also made a positive impression among Americans in general: Nearly three in four view Francis favorably. The new survey suggests that the Pope is arguably the most well-regarded religious figure among the American public today, said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

The Pope has also shown a common touch rare for such a lofty religious leader. He has eschewed the trappings of the papacy in favor of humbler digs, simpler vestments and a cheaper car. He worked as a bar bouncer and a janitor before he was a priest, and is not shy about telling people.

The breadth of Francis' popularity was on display at American newsstands this month: he was named person of the year by both Time magazine and The Advocate, a gay and lesbian publication.

"While 2013 will be remembered for the work of hundreds in advancing marriage equality, it will also be remembered for the example of one man," The Advocate said. In remarks that rippled across the globe, Pope Francis said in July, "If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

While the Pope has not changed church doctrine, he has urged Catholics to shift their focus from culture war issues to caring for people on society's margins, especially the poor.

"I see the church as a field hospital after battle," Francis said in September.

American Catholics appear to like the new course the Pope has set for their church. Nearly two-thirds agree with him about the amount of attention that should be paid to issues such as abortion and homosexuality, according to the CNN/ORC poll.

More than 85% of American Catholics say Francis is neither too liberal nor too conservative, and 86% say he's in touch with the modern world. By comparison, more than half of American Catholics said Pope John Paul II was out of step with the times in 2003, near the end of his 26-year-long papacy.

But Francis has been a fierce critic of the status quo, especially what calls the "idolatry of money" present in modern-day capitalism. In a papal statement last month, for example, the Pope blasted the theory of trickle-down economics, calling it "crude and naïve."

Conservative critics such as Rush Limbaugh pounced on the Pope's remarks, calling him a closet Marxist. But nearly two in three American Catholics agree with the Pope about capitalism and the free market's effects on the poor, according to the CNN/ORC poll.

On other key issues for Catholics - the role of women in the church and the sexual abuse crises - Francis gets similarly high ratings from his American flock.

More than six in 10 American Catholics agree with Francis' comments about women in the church, according to the CNN/ORC poll. The Pope has said that women should have a larger role in church governance but cannot be ordained as priests.

Similarly, more than six in 10 American Catholics say Francis is doing a good job handling fallout from the church's sexual abuse scandal, even as most (64%) also say the church overall has done a poor job on the issue.

American Catholics had given especially low marks on the sexual abuse scandal to Francis' predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, with just 36% saying in 2010 that he had handled the issue well.

CNN's Holland said it's difficult to ascertain exactly how Francis' popularity stacks up against his predecessors, however. "It's a tough question since polling on Popes is pretty sparse," he said.

What's more, like political polling, approval ratings shift depending on the public mood and perception of a Pope's performance.

For example, three-quarters of American Catholics approved of how John Paul was leading the church in 1994; that number rose to 84% in 1999 and dipped to 64% in 2003, at the height of the church's sexual abuse crisis.

It remains to be seen how long the honeymoon will last for Francis, and how long he can continue to build goodwill among American Catholics.

The poll was conducted for CNN by ORC International on December 16 through Thursday, with 1,035 adults nationwide, including 191 Catholics, questioned by telephone. The survey's overall sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Humanist Atheists Harvard Agnostics, it's official now. They have a chaplain, ol' chap.

December 24, 2013 at 9:53 am |

Austin

the anti christ will lead a world wide false religion. we know that. Hebrews talks about Christ as High Priest, and i agree that no one needs a priest for salvation, or a church.

but aside from the questionable priesthood, what has pope francis done that is outside scriptural exhortation?

December 24, 2013 at 9:58 am |

mike

The antichrist was Nero, and all the armageddon stuff was fantasizing about the fall of the Roman Empire.. This is a closed case.

December 24, 2013 at 11:39 am |

ertwngr

Pope Francis is loved by the media because he's dumbing down Catholicism to their level. They hated Benedict because he talked over their heads. The message is identical as it has been for 2000 years. But Francis makes it understandable for challenged journalism degree holders.

December 24, 2013 at 9:39 am |

Organic Man Lives in an Oraganic Universe

Blessed is this man and his reward is to bless the inhabitants of this planet. In the past I've railed against "organized" religions and the corruption of the churches but now comes this Pope who from which hope springs eternal... he is your blessing if you can hear with a balanced heart. He is the TRUE definition of belief in a higher order of man. He is a true king of kings that has come to our planet to teach us how to understand ourselves. Watch this man closely and be amazed at the miracles he will perform. While I'm not a western christian I do believe in the message of Christ the teacher and this man is here to remind us of the meaning of Jesus's parables. thank god he has awaken again, he has awaken the love of Jesus's message in me again and gives me hope in a world of corruption. Thank you pope Francis thank you!!!!

December 24, 2013 at 9:35 am |

Austin

awesome! remember that the book of Hebrews tells you directly that Jesus is High Priest and mediator, and that you do not need to go any further than prayer for salvation and forgiveness of sins.

December 24, 2013 at 9:41 am |

Organic Man Lives in an Oraganic Universe

I can't say I believe passage of the book my friend, as a practicing esoteric I find the whole Idea of simple prayer and belief to be unreasonably dense thinking on part of the writers or a concoction of errors when the book was torn apart by Constantine and the council of Nicaea thereby changing the message. A man will be known by his actions not his belief. This is why I see Pope Francis as a king among simple humans being who are not transforming because they believe in a 24/7 drive by salvation, this just doesn't make sense to me given the rest of the book, many great people have told us ...YOU have to do "the WORK"... George Ivanovich Gurdjieff.

December 24, 2013 at 10:02 am |

Austin

well I agree with what you are commending as the actions of Pope! but yet concerned, based upon the doctrines by Paul, as to the emphasis upon the Catholic priest hood.

furthermore, as a non catholic, I have expernienced the profoundly supernatural voice and seal of the Holy Spirit in my life. Let us all send forth the blessings of salvation , paid in full by the blood of Christ. Peace to you brother.

December 24, 2013 at 10:17 am |

Dyslexic doG

At this time of the year, I send out a reminder to all my friends:

Jesus wasn't born, he was written!

December 24, 2013 at 9:31 am |

Austin

I can garuntee you otherwise 100% due to the supernatural communication from the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a sanctifying spirit that supernatrually bears the truth of God's word on a persons heart.

December 24, 2013 at 9:33 am |

Charm Quark

Austin
You probably know that you can make prophecies about almost everything by staring into a cats eyes for a long period of time. The cat has to be alive, Austin, so take better care of you kitties, be vigilant.

December 24, 2013 at 9:39 am |

Austin

ok. I had a dream that there i was salking through a forest, it was dark and snowey and i came upon an a frame cabin. i knocked and a lady said i could stay there. and she said she had 2 kids. one was sitting there and the other had died, but the kids spirit was singing in the corner of the room , in a dual tone demonic voice. my body was inverted and levitated in the dream, and as it sang , the cat that had randomly shown up on my porch that day(in real life), ran underneath my inverted body with a big cut down its abdomen and blood gushing out.

i woke up knew this was a demented vision, and i went to the end of the driveway and the cat had been ran over and was flatter than a pancake. the streed is 500 feet from my door.

December 24, 2013 at 9:46 am |

Charm Quark

Austin
Thanks again for the story, you are a hoot. Just a tip, get your self a girlie magazine and look at the pictures just before bedtime, you may dream about getting laid, much more fun.

December 24, 2013 at 10:01 am |

G to the T

Austin – the problem (other than it requiring we take you at your word) is that you jump from "I had a dream that (in part) came true" to "god is real and the Bible is his infallible word". I would argue the evidence you provide could be a) pyschic phenomenon or b) conincidence.

Probability is a wonderful thing. Do you know that just based on probability we can expect at least 3 miraculous events in the US every day (where "miraculous" equals something happening with a near zero probability)?

Anyone who actually considers themselves to be Catholic, should view this report with great concern. His support is communing from the left. many of these supporters are atheistic and believe in everything that the Church has traditionally opposed. This pope is a sad dupe for the left. And while he basks in this praise from the anti-God crowd today, he will be answering to Jesus Christ tomorrow. In the end, God will demand an accounting for the many souls that will be lost because of his errant ways.

December 24, 2013 at 9:40 am |

Gol

While you are welcome to your opinion on the spiritual nature of Jesus. You are not welcome to your own facts in regards to Jesus being a historical figure.

December 24, 2013 at 9:43 am |

tallulah13

Everything about Christ is written at the earliest 30-40 years after his alleged death. The Romans were avid record keepers. Surely the miraculous events described in the bible would have been noticed by some nonchristian and recorded if they had actually happened. Maybe there was a historical human named Jesus, but there is no solid evidence.

December 24, 2013 at 10:02 am |

Doris

From CNN home: "Code-breaker forgiven six decades later: Alan Turing, a British code-breaker during World War II who was later subjected to chemical castration for homosexual activity".

Gee – who is the real Christian this Christmas:

-the Lutheran sect who still officially categorizes the Pope as the Antichrist?

-the Catholic who helps spread disease in poorer countries (because of their unrealistic stance on contraception)?

-the Christian who would rather me let their sick child die rather than seek medical care?

-the Southern Baptist who wants his woman in the kitchen and quiet at church?

-the follower of Santa Muerte who occasionally still gets to sacrifice people?

-the Christian who believes that Jesus and Satan were brothers and that Christ will return to Jerusalem AND Jackson County, Missouri?

-the Westboro Baptist member who believes Americans are being killed at war because America is tolerant of homosexuals?

-the Christian who believes the OT is superseded by the NT?

-the Christian who believes that the NT brings along all of the OT law?

This Pope seems to have some good intentions, and I know many other Christians that do also, but the basis for their belief has a long way to evolve (if possible) before I am not completely disgusted with it.

"Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth."

(Thomas Jefferson, from Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785)

December 24, 2013 at 9:27 am |

Chris

-the Catholic who helps spread disease in poorer countries (because of their unrealistic stance on contraception)
except that this is a complete fabrication. Dr. Edward Green (Harvard HIV expert) said the Pope is correct regarding condoms in Africa (look it up).

Stop posting before you research.

December 24, 2013 at 9:34 am |

Doris

First of all, I didn't mention specifically Africa, where the debate still goes on even on that issue. Also, note that Dr. Green states: "they should have a back-up role even in the generalised epidemics of Africa. I believe condoms should be made available to everyone. It should be, and as you say, the ABC strategy: Abstinence, be faithful, use a condom."

December 24, 2013 at 9:42 am |

lol??

Older women are supposed to help train the younger to love their children and hubbies, not kill and stir up trouble.

December 24, 2013 at 9:46 am |

Charm Quark

Chris
Do not know who your Doctor is but you seem to be implying that HIV aids is the only STD that can be prevented by using a condom. Even in the USA where condoms are readily available and used by the responsible STD rates have been increasing, look it up.

December 24, 2013 at 9:56 am |

Austin

Galatians 2:17
But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be

December 24, 2013 at 9:36 am |

Free Holiday Nuts

Let's just be done with it and give Austin his award early today. It's the award for the Fundy Method of Inquiry & Verification... congratulations, Austin! For those not familiar with the Fundy Method of Inquiry & Verification, it works like this:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YIj4rLYo0c&w=640&h=390]

December 24, 2013 at 9:47 am |

Austin

Christians, having a spiritual sense awakened , lack intelligence?

December 24, 2013 at 9:55 am |

lol??

Run faster, Masters. You can pay off the national debt in no time and be free!!

December 24, 2013 at 9:58 am |

Austin

eheh, uhhh, who are the bankers in the federeal reserve? applause! they have our best interests as a nation at hand
!!!

December 24, 2013 at 10:04 am |

Free Holiday Nuts

Nope Austin and lol?? The Fundy Method of Inquiry & Verification is all about that Circle that will be Unbroken – some think that means the Bible proves the Bible. Spinning away in ignorance!

December 24, 2013 at 10:11 am |

Richard57

star of Bethlehem-the scientist examining the story using modern tech had to stop half way in....because it proved to be true...and it is incredible. believe or not-criticize anything-beiconoclastic-yes, coercion is bad–even if in sheep's clothing-what does Jesus prove-that religious people can be killers-He only got mad at religious people-hahahahaha...just from the story alone...you know it is beyond us and reveals us.....try 'Case for christ'

December 24, 2013 at 9:55 am |

Austin

Hebrews 4:14-16
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The church is a bastion of patriarchy – I would respect him if he were willing to change that and if he then would start to dismantle the church – because all it does is collect money from the poor and use it to support all these guys in robes.

December 24, 2013 at 9:27 am |

lol??

Christians pray to the Father.

December 24, 2013 at 9:42 am |

mike

To be fair, much of the wealth of the Vatican was stolen, not donated.

December 24, 2013 at 11:43 am |

lol??

Paul wrote to the gentiles in Rome to fix the false doctrines simon the sorcerer was dishing out. Must not have "took".

December 24, 2013 at 9:26 am |

Chris

Hah? Not sure what you point is, other than prejudice.

December 24, 2013 at 9:28 am |

lol??

Not sure why you expressed an accusation.

December 24, 2013 at 9:36 am |

drc

Well, just reading the headline I knew it would bring out the loons to bring their usual negativity. If you don't like Christianity, believe in God or are in general a miserable person you have the right to ignore the article.

December 24, 2013 at 9:25 am |

Tom, Tom, the Other One

If only it could be as easy to ignore Christianity.

December 24, 2013 at 9:27 am |

One one

Most of the slings and arrows are comming from Catholics vs. evangelicals.

December 24, 2013 at 9:29 am |

Dyslexic doG

In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the pagan Saturnalia festival hoping to recruit the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.

The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus’ birthday.

The New Testament gives NO date or year for Jesus’ birth. The earliest gospel – St. Mark’s, written about 65 CE – begins with the baptism of an adult Jesus. This suggests that the earliest Christians lacked interest in or knowledge of Jesus’ birthdate.

December 24, 2013 at 9:24 am |

Austin

the date was picked just to have a date.

but on the other hand the reason had to do with the prophecy, the star, and king Herod's desire to kill the First Born of God.
there had to be some secrecy for Jesus.

December 24, 2013 at 9:32 am |

thom

Internal evidence suggests the birth would have been in the spring. Historically, shepherds are only with their flocks constantly during the lambing season in the spring.

Becasue you do not respect that their beliefs have the same validity as yours. WHy do you think they need "converting"?

December 24, 2013 at 10:08 am |

Gol

Dyslexic doG- "In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the pagan Saturnalia festival hoping to recruit the pagan masses in with it."

What a hypocrite. Not shred of proof to back this up...NONE.

December 24, 2013 at 9:46 am |

J

He embraces a disfigured man and the collective hearts of the world all melt as though it means anything. There's billions of dollars worth of potential charity locked up in the safes of the Vatican and until Pope Francis literally 'practices what he preaches' you can color me unimpressed. He may not drive the nice cars but they're still parked in the garage.

December 24, 2013 at 9:21 am |

Dyslexic doG

a good PR campaign with lots of photo ops.

December 24, 2013 at 9:22 am |

fools

thankfully there are REAL people who do good deeds without the need for $$ and glory, doctors without borders are one. And they actually do something.

December 24, 2013 at 9:23 am |

Chris

Pope Francis (and the Catholic Church) have done more "real" giving to the poor then you can ever imagine.

December 24, 2013 at 9:27 am |

Neokat1

There does not exist a bigger charitable organization than the Catholic Chuurch...

December 24, 2013 at 9:40 am |

One one

They are also high up on the list for property holdings.

December 24, 2013 at 9:47 am |

DanZ

The Catholic Church is by far the largest charitable organization in the world. Haters gonna hate no matter how many people they help. Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2013 at 9:27 am |

tallulah13

Think of how many more could be helped of they did as Christ advised and sold their possessions to give to the poor? Surely the catholic church does not need to hoarde millions, if not billions, of dollars in art and treasures. Christ promised them treasure in heaven. Is that not enough?

December 24, 2013 at 9:39 am |

One one

How would you know how much charitable giving atheists do? Unlike the church, they don't wave their flag when they give. Also, the church seems to pay themselves first before anyone else. Their property holdings are vast. Have you ever seen the Vatican ?

December 24, 2013 at 9:51 am |

igaftr

criticism is not hate.
disagreement is not hate.
Stop using the word hate when it does not apply.

December 24, 2013 at 10:02 am |

Katherine

Christians getting slaughtered over the Middle East??!!?? What are you talking about, pete?? Or do you know what you're talking about, Pete? Lol, you sound like one of those illiterate Republicans. No facts, all bs and blow.

December 24, 2013 at 9:17 am |

fools

please don't label all of us republicans as the same. Yes, Palin and the tea party, for starters, are an insult to our intelligence.

Most of us are slowly moving to the middle to avoid the likes of them/

back on topic: If the catholic church were a national day care center.. It'd be shut down and the popes, bishops and cardinals would be sitting in jails today

December 24, 2013 at 9:21 am |

The only church that Christ founded is the Catholic. 2000 years

The only church that Christ founded is the Catholic. 2000 years. The bible is 100% catholic. Simple like that.

December 24, 2013 at 9:16 am |

fools

how funny

December 24, 2013 at 9:17 am |

Tom, Tom, the Other One

The church of the Roman bishop, your "catholics", split off of the true Church in 1054.

December 24, 2013 at 9:21 am |

Dyslexic doG

peddle your lies somewhere else.

December 24, 2013 at 9:24 am |

fools

It's comforting that religions in the USA are accountable to our laws first.

December 24, 2013 at 9:16 am |

Tom, Tom, the Other One

The Pope may not even realize that he is evil and the Antichrist. But there are signs and portents. The Bat-Signal is on.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.